Keeping the hope
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Testimony time is one of my favorite times in church. For one it breaks the liturgical monotony. It is also spontaneous on subject matter. Folks testify to financial breakthrough, promotion and opportunity in job place, healings, divine provisions and safety from danger, travel opportunities, news from or on long lost family members etc… oh! I cannot afford to leave out love and marriage.
In Luke 10:17 –18, 72 disciples return from a mission trip with much joy. They had seen even the demons submitting to them in Jesus’ name. Jesus justifies their testimony with the declaration that He had seen Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
But should we only testify when things are looking up? Does Satan fall only when the skies are blue, and the sun is bright? Can we remain committed and grateful even when the evidence is to the contrary?
Habakkuk ends his short book with a prayer. His prayer demonstrated the resulting convictions of his dialogue with God. Habakkuk had asked God why evil people prosper while the righteous suffers. He couldn’t understand why a just God will allow so much evil to go unpunished. God answered that they won’t; not in the long run. God answered Habakkuk’s struggles with words of hope. That is what inspired his prayer at the end of the book, and more so at the end of his prayer.
Failed crops and dead animals would devastate Judah. It couldn’t get worse than that. But Habakkuk affirmed that even in the period of starvation and loss, he will still rejoice in the Lord. It is true his affirmation does not make sense. Yet his feelings were not controlled by the events around him but by faith in God’s ability to sustain him. When nothing makes sense, when troubles strangle you, when it seems to get more than you can bear, remember that God is the One who sustains. Take your eyes off your difficulties and look to God.
In Luke 10, after Jesus affirms the disciples’ testimony, He continued in verse 20, “However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” NIV.
In Romans 8:18, Paul says, “I consider that our present suffering are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” NIV.
If we take our eyes off the things we see and hear and feel, if we focus our sights on eternity and the God of our salvation, then we will cause Satan to fall from heaven not once not twice but always.
God will give His followers surefootedness through difficult times. They will run like deer across rough and challenging terrain. At the right time, His justice will be seen and the world will be rid of evil. Meanwhile, as God’s people, we need to live in the strength of His Spirit and the power of His Word.
I’m not moved by what I see
Halleluyah!
I’m not moved by what I hear
Halleluyah!
I’m not moved by what I feel
Halleluyah!
I’m only moved by the word of God
Halleluyah!